#balsamaria
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anforsorrow.bsky.social
Look at these gorgeous examples of bird shaped unguentaria (or balsamaria), currently in the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki.
Bird shaped unguentaria (or balsamaria). From around the 1st Century CE. Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki.
May 31, 2026 at 12:31 PM
bwallower.bsky.social
#TerracottaTuesday
Ionic balsamaria (for unguents/perfumes) in Siren form: dangerous enchantresses w extraordinary musical/singing skills, hybrid creatures w woman's face + bird's body.

Funerary favourites linked to Underworld w role in consoling souls of the dead through song.
C6 BC, MArTA Taranto
Two ceramic vessels in the shape of birds with wide tails, facing right, with women's faces and plaits hanging down the side of the head. On top of the heads, each balsamaria has a spout so that perfumes could be poured in, and out. In National Archaeological Museum Taranto: MArTA They're
February 4, 2026 at 12:50 PM
bwallower.bsky.social
#TerracottaTuesday
Ionic balsamaria (for unguents/perfumes) in Siren form: dangerous enchantresses w extraordinary musical/singing skills, hybrid creatures w woman's face + bird's body.

Funerary favourites linked to Underworld w role in consoling souls of the dead through song.
C6 BC, MArTA Taranto
2 terracotta containers called balsamaria with bird-like bodies: wings are by sides of the body and tail spread behind, with legs tucked beneath. They have heads of a woman, facing to her right (toward camera here). Some slight polychrome features evident in one on left. Both have hairstyles with wide rounded section above face and 2 plaits/braids hanging down each side of the face. On the top of the head is fitted a spout for pouring unguents or perfumes. On the bird back is a perforated tab, for attaching a means of hanging the balsamarium.
February 4, 2025 at 3:46 PM
antinousgaygod.bsky.social
🪷 #MensGroomingDay: Any well-groomed Roman had an #Antinous #Balsamarium for unguents, perfume oil, bath oils ... in hopes of coming out of the baths looking as handsome as #Antinoos! Lots more #balsamaria here: www.antinopolis.org/gallery/icon... More: antinousstars.blogspot.com/2026/08/no-w... 🪷
August 21, 2026 at 9:52 AM
antinousgaygod.bsky.social
🪷 14 June #InternationalBathDay Well-groomed Romans had an #Antinous #Balsamarium for unguents, perfume oil, bath oils, in hopes of coming out of the baths looking as handsome as #Antinoos! More #balsamaria here: www.antinopolis.org/gallery/icon... Read: antinousstars.blogspot.com/2023/08/no-w... 🪷
June 14, 2026 at 11:09 AM
antinousgaygod.bsky.social
🪷 An Antinous #balsamarium vessel for unguents, perfume oil, bath oils so you come out of the baths looking as beautiful as #Antinous! His hair is unusually in an Egyptian style. As Moon God, he wears a "lunula" lunar crescent pendant. More #balsamaria here: www.antinopolis.org/gallery/icon... 🪷
January 9, 2025 at 5:05 PM
antinousgaygod.bsky.social
🪷 #NovemberCountdown to the birthday of Antinous on 27 November: #Antinous #Balsamarium for unguents, perfume oil, bath oils ... so you come out of the baths looking #Antinoan ... as beautiful as #Antinoos! Lots more #balsamaria here: antinopolis.org/gallery/icon... 🪷
November 8, 2025 at 9:14 AM
antinousgaygod.bsky.social
🪷 14 June is International Bath Day: Any well-groomed Roman had an #Antinous Balsamarium for unguents, perfume oil, bath oils ... in hopes of coming out of the baths looking as handsome as Antinous! More balsamaria here: www.antinopolis.org/gallery/icon... #InternationalBathDay #BathDay 🪷
June 13, 2025 at 11:12 PM
antinousgaygod.bsky.social
🪷 Today is #MensGroomingDay: Any well-groomed Roman had an #Antinous #Balsamarium for unguents, perfume oil, bath oils in hopes of coming out of the baths looking as handsome as #Antinoos! More #balsamaria here: www.antinopolis.org/gallery/icon... More: antinousstars.blogspot.com/2024/08/no-w... 🪷
August 15, 2025 at 10:04 AM